Working Together.

Case Study

Linda Gibbs, Deputy Mayor for Health & Human Services

Executives from across the human services field have called upon LTG's principals and senior consultants to coach them on their most pressing issues. These executives often have the glare of publicity and the fear of others' political agencies as they lead their programs. This can cause understandable isolation and a lack of trusted feedback on their most demanding issues. The increased pressure that ensues can cause burn-out and lack of self-care in people who must make major decisions affecting hundreds if not thousands of people and the budgets to match...often billions of dollars.

Linda Gibbs

In 2004, Linda Gibbs, then the NYC Commissioner of Homeless Services, had embarked on the ambitious plan to transform the way in which shelter services and programs were delivered to New York's homeless population. Working with a tight deadline, she approached LTG to facilitate an action-based "Open Space" planning session over two days so that all DHS stakeholders, from advocates to front-line shelter staff, would enroll in the dynamic direction underway.

Two days later, action plans for over twenty significant initiatives were created with timelines and targets for work in place. Advocates and city staff who had been antagonistic at the start of the work embraced at the front of the room in their renewed commitment to work together. According to Ms Gibbs, " I have found that LTG and its partners Elizabeth Laboy and Steve Burghardt, have operated at the highest level of professionalism in curriculum development, trainings, conference and retreat facilitations and consultative interventions... What began with some skepticism about the retreat's overall value concluded with uniform accolades for the leadership development and executive team-building that occurred."

Six months later the mayor of the city credited DHS under Gibbs' leadership with achieving the results she had set earlier. This was made possible by Ms Gibbs' reflective, engaged leadership and her commitment to her own and her staff's professional and personal growth. Through its Executive Coaching and Training services, LTG was instrumental in facilitating Ms Gibbs' growth as a leader in human services.

According to Ms Gibbs, "Steve Burghardt has worked with me in a professional and engaged manner where he has demonstrated genuine commitment to me and my executive agenda while not hesitating to push me on my own development."